Hotel that launched Trump to Manhattan fame to be torn down

NEW YORK  — The building that helped Donald Trump make a name for himself in his first big deal in Manhattan is being sold to developers who plan to tear it down.

Developer TF Cornerstone said Thursday that it and a group managing billionaire Michael Dell’s money have agreed to buy the Grand Hyatt New York next to Grand Central Terminal and replace it with a mixed-used tower that will include office and retail space and a smaller hotel.


Trump partnered with the Hyatt Corp. to buy what was then the Commodore Hotel in the late 1970s in his first splash in Manhattan real estate. He refurbished it into a sleek glass tower and used its success as a stepping stone to his next big gamble a few years later, the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

Trump sold his stake in the Grand Hyatt in 1996.

Neither the White House nor the Trump Organization responded to requests for comment.

When Trump struck a deal to buy the Commodore from the bankrupt Penn Central Corp., the city itself was on the verge of bankruptcy and most other developers were not interested.

As Trump tells it, he realized there was something special about the Commodore after a walk by the hotel early one morning.

“The lobby was so dingy it looked like a welfare hotel,” he wrote in “The Art of the Deal,” but then his eye caught a hopeful sign. “There were thousands of well-dressed Connecticut and Westchester commuters flooding onto the streets from Grand Central Terminal and the subway stations below. The city was on the verge of bankruptcy, but what I saw was a superb location.”

Eager to make his mark in Manhattan, Trump took the plunge, using guaranteed loans from his father and generous tax abatements from the city.

Within a few years, he transformed the tired, old Commodore into a gleaming, reflective-glass tower. His timing was near perfect, too. He opened the hotel just before the start of 1980s boom and was soon able to rent rooms for as much as $1,100 a night.

In the latest deal, the new building will cover 2 million square feet and include a new Grand Hyatt with 500 rooms. The current hotel has 1,298 rooms.


The deal still requires local and state approval. The land under the Grand Hyatt is owned by the Empire State Development Corp., the state’s business-development arm.

TF Cornerstone’s partner in the deal is MSD Partners, which invests assets owned by Dell and his family. Dell is the founder of Dell Technologies and is estimated by Forbes to be worth $34 billion.  /muf

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Brazil concerned about hotel price hikes at World Cup

SAO PAULO—The Brazilian government is concerned that some hotels listed on FIFA’s website for the 2014 World Cup plan steep price hikes during the tournament and is reportedly considering investigating the FIFA-appointed agency in charge of accommodation. 


Brazil’s tourism board has notified the justice ministry after its research showed that rates will be up to 500 percent more expensive during the World Cup in some hotels offered by the agency MATCH Services on FIFA’s website.

“It’s probable that MATCH is exercising intermediation fees that are a lot higher than usually exercised in the tourism market,” the board said in a document obtained by The Associated Press, “harming the rights of potential consumers.”

MATCH denied any wrongdoing on Saturday, saying it “provides a totally transparent price structure.”

“With a small number of exceptions where MATCH Services has had to accept higher than normal rates, all other participating hotels have accepted and agreed to embrace FIFA’s and MATCH’s policy to provide reasonably acceptable rates,” it said in a statement.

The Swiss-based company is primarily responsible for contracting and delivering accommodation for the FIFA community, including its officials, delegates, guests and staff. It also sells rooms to FIFA’s commercial affiliates, the media and customers of the official hospitality program. Rooms are offered to the general public through the FIFA website operated and maintained by MATCH.

The study by the tourism board, known as Embratur, compared prices in several dozen hotels in the 12 host cities. It was conducted through researching prices announced on booking websites, the hotels’ sites and FIFA’s official web page.

Embratur did not say exactly how many hotels were compared, but of the 65 hotels listed in the study’s results 22 increased prices more than 200 percent, with six offering rates at least 300 percent higher. The biggest increase was by a hotel in the northeastern city of Salvador, which will charge $509 per night during the World Cup, a 583 percent increase compared to the $75 it charged this July.

The host cities with the smallest increase in rates are Recife and Sao Paulo, with hikes of about 100 percent on average. The capital of Brasilia had the most expensive hotel in the study, with certain rooms costing $639 per night, a 376 percent increase compared to the current price.

The study showed that the average cost for a room in Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup will be $461, more than double the rate in Johannesburg for the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

Embratur said it wants to negotiate better prices in part because it’s afraid that excessive rates during the World Cup may hurt Brazil’s tourism in the long run.

“Raises without limits may satisfy the profit expectations of some, but they are bad for the sustainability of the business,” Embratur president Flavio Dino said in a statement sent to the AP. “We are hosting these mega events in Brazil to help increase the flux of tourists in the country in the long run. The government will do everything possible to protect the image of the country and of the industry itself.”

Pricey hotel rooms became a hot topic last year during the Rio+20 UN conference, when the hotel sector took advantage of the spike in demand to charge exorbitant rates. The average cost of a room in Rio during the conference rose to nearly $800 a night, prompting a barrage of criticism from conference delegates. The European Parliament canceled its entire 11-person delegation due to the costs.

President Dilma Rousseff’s office got involved at the time and negotiated with the hotel sector to reduce some of the prices.

In its letter to the justice ministry, which is responsible for handling consumer rights issues, Embratur also criticized MATCH for imposing minimum stays of at least two nights at the World Cup hotels. The document dated June 17 was obtained by the AP on Friday.

MATCH may also reportedly be targeted by Brazil’s antitrust agency for potential violation of free competition rules. The Valor Economico newspaper has said that prosecutors have already asked the agency to investigate the company’s operations.

MATCH has vehemently defended itself, saying that “it is incorrect to suggest” that the hotels it signed a contract with in Brazil are overcharging.

“The rates secured by MATCH Services from its partner hotels and those it offers to its customers are in the vast majority of cases reasonable and compare well to rates available outside of the FIFA World Cup,” it said in a statement. “(Hotels are) acting in a fair and reasonable manner taking into account the market forces and the investment made by them.”

It added that higher prices were already expected in Brazil during a major event like the World Cup.

“These prices are dictated by the prices MATCH Services have been able to secure from the hotels,” it said. “They are not the product of an abuse of a dominant position held by MATCH Services, but rather the fact that the Brazilian hotel industry by tradition over many decades has enjoyed high yields per room night during major events, whether it is a major conference, Carnival, New Year or Formula 1 racing.”

The president of the Brazilian Association of the Hotel Industry downplayed the Embratur study, calling it opportunistic because nearly all of the rates had already been set a long time ago. Enrico Fermi said the prices were established when MATCH signed agreements with more than 800 hotels right after Brazil was picked as World Cup host in 2007.

“FIFA told us that the prices here are acceptable and compatible with the international market,” Fermi told the AP in a telephone interview.

The average price of a room in Johannesburg for the 2010 final was $200, while in Berlin in 2006 it was $300, according to Embratur.

“To compare room rates in Sao Paulo and Rio for the 2014 FIFA World Cup to those that MATCH Services provided in Johannesburg for the 2010 FIFA World Cup does not make sense,” MATCH said in its statement. “All it would prove is that the difference is in line with the difference at any given time between the cost of accommodation in Rio or Sao Paulo and Johannesburg.”

Brazil ranks 33rd in the list of most expensive hotel rates in the world, according to Fermi.

The local World Cup organizing committee and Brazil’s sports ministry referred all requests for comment to Embratur. FIFA said only MATCH would comment.—Tales Azzoni

source: sports.inquirer.net

The bed and pillows offer a good sleep

Everyone deserves comfort without having to spend a small fortune on hotels when traveling out of town.

When Robinsons Land Corp. launched Go Hotels, its version of the budget-hotel concept, we were curious to check out its first branch in Mandaluyong City. But we never got to do it, until recently when the opportunity came up to visit the new Go Hotels branch in Tacloban, Leyte.

It is conveniently located in the Robinsons Place Tacloban Mall Annex on the Tabuan National Highway in Marasbaras, near downtown and 10-15 minutes’ drive from the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.

Windsor bed

The marketing pitch for the Go Hotels chain is quite attractive, giving people eight reasons why it’s good to stay there—“Windsor bed, LCD cable TV, super shower, free WiFi, safe and secure, transport access, fun vibe, service plus.”

We weren’t sure what was so special about the Windsor bed, until we plunked down on the night we arrived. The bed was soft yet didn’t sag; the big difference was the “chiropractic” pillows, designed to follow the contours of the head. We had a good sleep without having to toss and turn.

There are two types of air-conditioned rooms, the Twin and the Queen. The one assigned to us, the Queen, was small at 17 sq m, which allowed only minimal movement like going to the bathroom and sitting on or lying in bed to watch TV. There’s not even space for a table, although there’s a foldable one attached to the wall separating the bathroom and the bedroom, just enough for us to use our laptop while sitting on the bed.

But at a price of less than P2,000 for an overnight stay—with periodic room sales going for as low as P488—it’s a steal.

The room comes with two bath towels, foot towels, tissue paper, single-use soap, shampoo and conditioner. Other necessities are available for a fee. The complimentary hygiene kit given to us had a toothbrush, toothpaste, ear buds and a disposable shaving razor, which unfortunately was of inferior quality because it could barely shave off our two-day-old stubble.

But it’s really no problem since one can just buy all those essentials, including bottled water, in the mall’s supermarket.

 Mayor drops in

There’s no free breakfast, but there are set meals one can order from The Gustavian restaurant in the mall. Another restaurant, Cocina Don Vicente, offers a daily buffet for about P350; that’s where we had dinner on our first night and it sure was yummy and filling, especially Tacloban’s seafood fare.

Reelected Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez dropped in and joined us for dinner; he intimated some problems he’s been having with the Department of Tourism which, he said, were hampering efforts of local businessmen to further spur the growth of tourism in the city and the province.

Coconut wine

For the first time we had a taste of native coconut wine, or tuba, but this one was packaged in three classy varieties: Dry Red, Sweet Red and Sweet White. It carried the label Vacal Vino de Coco, founded by Filipino-American George Vacal Paraliza and his wife Tila Paraliza. The Dry Red could rival the quality of most foreign wines.

On a visit to the couple’s wine factory near Go Hotels, we learned of the health benefits that could be gained from moderate drinking of coconut wine. George and Tila are so upbeat about their products’ attributes that they envision coconut wine to eventually become the country’s national drink.



Patio Victoria

We also spent several hours at Patio Victoria, the beach resort owned by the mayor, a short drive from Go Hotels. We didn’t expect a Boracay, but the Patio Victoria beach—like most others in the country—gave momentary respite for Manila rats like us, who pine for fresh wind and the sound of crashing sea waves on a hot day.

The next time we go to Leyte, we’ll try to find Tangkaan Beach which, according to news accounts, could indeed be compared to Boracay.

On our second night, dinner at Ocho Restaurant on Sen. Enage Street in Tacloban consisted of more seafood and, to our delight, fresh greens from its salad bar. There was no coconut wine, so we settled for San Miguel Light beer.

It was still early for bedtime, so our hosts took us for a short drive to San Juanico Bridge, which connects Leyte and Samar and is still the longest bridge in the country. But since it was night, we couldn’t appreciate the beauty of its length and design.

On our last day we were told that the scheduled trips to other tourist attractions would have to be cut short due to time constraints. Which meant that we just had a glimpse of Red Beach, the scene of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the American forces’ return to the country in World War II; the Madonna of Japan, the Marian image built on Kanhuraw Hill as a symbol of peace and reconciliation after the horrors of the war; the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum of the Marcos family; among others.

There is much more history and culture to rediscover about Leyte and its neighboring province, Samar, site of the infamous Bells of Balangiga. We hope to see these places in the near future.

By then, room accommodations won’t be a problem budget-wise, with Go Hotels right smack in the heart of Tacloban.

Log on to gohotels.ph

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Luxury, elegance, impeccable service–from one hotel to another in the heart of Hong Kong

The Landmark Mandarin is a luxurious oasis in the middle of Central Hong Kong. With only 113 rooms and suites, it is a boutique hotel with the service and amenities of a large luxury hotel. It was rated No. 1 in the 2012 World’s Best Hotels list by Institutional Investors.

Unlike its traditional older sister, the Mandarin Oriental, it is modern and sleek but with all the comforts of a well-appointed home. Every aspect is designed for a pure sensory indulgence. Though it is seven years old (unlike its 50-year-old sister) it remains fresh and very updated.

Designed by Adam Tihany and Peter Remedios, the hotel’s main entrance from Queens Road central is very discreet, and its secondary entrance from the Landmark mall is strategically placed.



At the main entrance, Tihany designed an abstract boat-like feature, inspired by the classic Hong Kong sailing junk, that flanks the main staircase. The use of luxurious materials to shape the iconic hull of a Chinese junk pays homage to current trade and fashion. The seating area at the lobby is intimate and cozy, surrounded by bookshelves with books on art and lifestyle.

The standard rooms are an average size of 50-55 sq m. Very large by Hong Kong standards.  The five types of standard rooms go up to 60 sq m—a luxury in this place.



The Landmark suite is the only type of suite other than the Presidential suite. With a 83-sq-m footprint, it has the feel of a spacious, graciously appointed apartment. The Presidential suite, on the other hand, is luxurious and elegant but low-key, with a private spa/massage room.

The Joe Malone toiletries in lime, basil and mandarin scents are a delight.

Spa pampering

The Oriental Spa is located on two floors of the hotel. It features calming and relaxing natural materials such as bamboo, natural stone and wood. The 25,000-sq-ft spa offers a comprehensive range of health, beauty and massage treatments, with signature treatments created exclusively for Mandarin Oriental. Therapists at the Oriental Spa are trained in the finest ancient traditions of Chinese, European and Thai cultures.



The Oriental Spa offers an indoor heated swimming pool; yoga, pilates, expansive heat experience area featuring Hamam, Laconium, Rasul, Zen relaxation room; and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. A full pilates studio with private classes is offered. According to general manager Greg Liddell, new signature spa treatments will be available this coming June 2013.

If the Chinese have the Shanghainese Pedicure, the French have Bastien, as created by Bastien Gonzalez. The philosophy is the complete opposite of the Shanghainese pedicure, but it still leaves you with squeaky clean hands and feet.  It is a dry pedicure with equipment rivaled by those used in auto detailing shops—in miniature versions, of course, and requiring extreme care and precision.

Luxe bar

The highly focused massage aims to offer optimum mobility, skin elasticity and the highly effective re-plumbing of the fatty cushions in the feet and hands.

For your first treatment, try Albin Brion, the studio manager and podiatrist. Not only is he skilled, he is also the most charming and pleasant pedicurist you will find.

By the left side of the hotel lobby is the very cool and luxe MO Bar. The lighted red circle, the “big O”—a Chinese symbol for shared experience—is a prominent design element. The bar is a place to see and be seen for breakfast, lunch and cocktails.



Comfort food offered here includes fish and chips, teriyaki wagyu burger, Hainan chicken  rice and signature drinks like Rose Petal Martini. The lobster lunch on Sundays is a bestseller.  I didn’t try the Jimmy Choo afternoon tea, but I hear the faux shoes are cute and delicious.

Michelin restaurant

What boutique hotel has a two-star Michelin Restaurant? Well, up on the seventh floor of the Landmark Mandarin is the Amber Restaurant run by chef Richard Ekkebus. He can prepare a 14-course degustation meal, and his resto has been recognized by San Pellegrino as one of the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants.” Amber continues to be the only restaurant in the Greater China region to appear in the top 50 rating.


I strongly recommend the degustation menu with wine and sake pairings. The cuisine’s complex, innovative flavors derive from French and Japanese influences. And the pairings are so well-thought-through. The most unforgettable are the cauliflower velouté with egg sabayon, lobster jell-o with cauliflower caviar seaweed waffles, ebisu oyster and “melt-in-your-mouth” Kagoshima wagyu beef.

The bar’s interiors are spacious and gives the subtle feel of being in a luxury sailing vessel, with its 4,320 golden hanging rods. I guess it carries through from the “Chinese junk” theme at the lobby.

Clearly what the Mandarin Oriental began 50 years ago—commitment to the highest standards of luxury in service and aesthetics—is being carried on by its younger sister, the Landmark Mandarin. Yes, the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Bellagio introduces all-you-can-eat caviar for $37.99

After a couple weeks testing the water, the caviar bar at the Bellagio Buffet is here to stay.

"If we wouldn't have it here this weekend, people would complain," said Frank Ortiz, assistant buffet chef.

Diners can choose from black American sturgeon caviar, red flying fish tobiko caviar or salmon roe. All are available Fridays and Saturdays during regular buffet hours, 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and are included in the $37.99 dinner price.

The Bellagio added the caviar bar to try to keep pace with its competitors. Caesars Palace recently debuted a new buffet and the Aria renovated its buffet.

Although buffets are all you can eat, the chefs recommend that customers take the caviar in small bites. To help novices, the chefs serve an appropriate amount on blinis and mini-waffles with traditional accompaniments such as chopped egg, red onions, chives or creme fraiche.

"We do have some people who come up with a bowl and want us to fill it up," Ortiz said. "But we like to respect the integrity of the dish."

 source: lasvegassun.com

Khloe and Lamar Dallas Realtors at War!!!

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have already wreaked havoc in Dallas, by setting off a war among a number of high-end realtors who are vying for their business.

The displaced couple has been looking for a place to live, and rather than using just one realtor, they decided 6 would be 6 times better. Here's the problem ... the realtors claim Khloe and Lamar made each of them feel as if they were the only ones, and they're now fighting over who can lay claim to a commission.

And it gets even better, because cameras for their reality show have been following Khloe and Lamar around during their house hunt, with different realtors in tow. So the realtors not only think they'll score a commission, they're also dreaming of fame.

Apparently Khloe and Lamar have recognized their lapse of etiquette, and they've settled on just one realtor. What's more, we're told they just found a condo in the W Hotel. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 1800 square-foot pad. It's listed for lease at $7,500 a month.

source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/21/khloe-kardashian-lamar-odom-dallas-real-estate/#.TvHGgVs6hog